The Heritage Junction Dispatch A Publication of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society

Volume 42, Issue 6 November - December 2016 Calendar President’s Message by Alan Pollack Sunday, November 6 Rancho Camulos Days 12:00-4:00 PM Rancho Camulos See page 6 An Ode to Vin just occurred in the family. I must admit, I spent the rest of the afternoon mourning the Saturday, November 19 Scully “loss” of . Lecture Series: Mark Weingarten “There will be a new on his book “Thirsty - William day, and eventually a But then I began to wonder why. Why had this Mulholland, California Water, and new year, and when man affected me so deeply. As we grow older, the real Chinatown” the upcoming winter we witness more and more of the heroes 2:00 PM Old Town Newhall Library gives way to spring, and famous of our youthful years getting old, Monday, November 28 ah, rest assured, once getting sick, and passing on. With most of Board of Directors Meeting again, it will be time these icons, we are momentarily sad, and then 6:30 PM Saugus Station for Dodgers baseball! So this is Vin Scully just as quickly they become a footnote in Thursday, December 1 wishing you a very pleasant good afternoon, history. But not with Vin Scully. The loss of Vin Deadline for the November- wherever you may be.” Scully as a Dodger broadcaster goes deeper than his fame and renown. And I asked myself, December Dispatch With those simple words, Vin Scully signed why is that? Saturday, December 3 off on the last Dodger broadcast of his Christmas Open House illustrious career on the afternoon of Oct On further reflection, I believe that the loss Noon-4:00 PM Heritage Junction 2, 2016. Millions of baseball fans across the of Vin Scully is a loss of a fundamental link to See page 7 country felt the loss of this iconic man, as an our rapidly receding childhood years. The long Monday, December 19 epic chapter in Los Angeles history came to wait through a cold and dark winter. The joy Board of Directors Meeting a close. As I watched his final words, I was of spring when the Dodgers finally came to 6:30 PM Saugus Station overcome with an emotion as if a death had life again, heading off to spring training in Vero Continued on Page 2 OutWest Concert Series at The Repertory East, 24266 Main St in Newhall. 8:00 PM Thursday, November 17: An evening with Texas Performer Dennis Jay. $20 for SCVHS members

Check www.scvhistory.org for other upcoming events.

Articles and inquiries regarding The Dispatch may be made to 661 254-1275

To arrange for filming at Heritage Junction, contact Cathy Martin at 661 645-0107 PAGE 2 THE HERITAGE JUNCTION DISPATCH VOLUME 42, ISSUE 6

President’s Message

Continued from page 1 Beach. And then the glory days of summer, as they worked franchise history at in 1955. The next year, he day in and day out, trying to bring another pennant and World was there to announce the only perfect game in Series championship to Los Angeles. history, spun by the Yankees’ Don Larsen against the Dodgers. And through it all there was Vin Scully. His mellifluous voice It was to be the last World Series in Brooklyn. resonating across a hot summer night. Vin Scully was more After the Dodgers, along with Vin Scully as their broadcaster, than just a sports broadcaster. He was a baseball poet, moved to Los Angeles in 1958, Scully continued to be our with a soothing cadence and rhythm to his voice as he voice as we witnessed history in the making. called countless ball games and interposed his acumen as a He was there to call ’s historic fourth no hitter storyteller and as a witness to the glory years of the Brooklyn and perfect game against the Cubs at on Dodgers of the 1950s, and the years after 1958, when they September 9, 1965: “Two and two to Harvey Kuenn, one moved to Los Angeles. He remained the only broadcaster strike away. Sandy into his windup, here’s the pitch: Swung on who had actually met baseball players who had played as early and missed, a perfect game! On the scoreboard in right field as the 1930s. His memories of some of the greatest moments it is 9:46 p.m. in the City of the Angels, Los Angeles, California. in baseball history witnessed throughout his 67 years on the And a crowd of twenty-nine thousand one-hundred thirty job are irreplaceable. nine just sitting in to see the only in baseball history Vin Scully has been the one constant throughout my entire to hurl four no-hit, no- games. He has done it four straight life. As a seven year old child, I began listening to Scully years, and now he caps it: On his fourth no-hitter he made it calling Dodger baseball in the summer of 1965. There was a perfect game.” my favorite player, Sandy Koufax, along with , He was there in Atlanta when broke ’s , , and Sweet Lou Johnson. That was untouchable career record against the Dodgers’ the summer when neighborhoods in South Los Angeles pitcher on April 8, 1974: “What a marvelous became engulfed in flames during the Watts Riots. And it moment for baseball, what a marvelous moment for Atlanta was the summer I began listening to the rock n’ roll music and the state of Georgia, what a marvelous moment for the played on radio stations like Boss Radio 93 KHJ and KRLA. I country and the world. A black man is getting a standing was introduced on my transistor radio to The Rolling Stones, ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all- “Satisfaction”, Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone”, the Beatles’ time baseball idol. It is over, at 10 minutes after nine in Atlanta, “Help”, Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe”, and The Beach Georgia, Henry Aaron has eclipsed the mark set by Babe Ruth.” Boys’ “California Girls”. It was a magical summer for me. And I was one of those kids who slept with the transistor radio And he was there at game of the World Series in 1988 under my pillow, falling asleep to the reassuring voice of Vin to call the greatest baseball moment I have ever witnessed in Scully. That fall, all the kids took their radios to school to my lifetime: “High fly ball into right field, she i-i-i-is gone!! hear Scully call the Dodgers World Series victory over the In a year that has been so improbable … the impossible has Minnesota Twins. happened! And, now, the only question was, could he make it The next year, Scully was there again in the broadcast booth around the base paths unassisted?! as Koufax played in his last World Series, the Dodgers losing You know, I said it once before, a few days ago, that Kirk to the . Koufax retired after that series, no Gibson was not the Most Valuable Player; that the Most longer able to pitch effectively with an arthritic elbow that Valuable Player for the Dodgers was Tinkerbell. But, tonight, had thrown a few too many blazing fastballs. I think Tinkerbell backed off for . And, look As the years since then have turned into decades and a new at Eckersley—shocked to his toes! They are going wild at millennium, so many things have changed in this life, but until Dodger Stadium—no one wants to leave!” now, Vin Scully was always there. And now he is gone. Vin Scully has been there throughout my Scully actually began his broadcasting career in Brooklyn in entire life. At 88 years old, it was time to call it quits, to enjoy 1950, a protégé of the Dodgers’ legendary announcer Red his final years with his family and friends. Godspeed Vin Scully, Barber. Eventually taking over for Barber, he began his 67 and enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Like George Bailey, you year odyssey bearing witness to the Boys of Summer -- Jackie cannot begin to imagine what an impact you have had on my Robinson, , , Gil Hodges, Roy life and the lives of millions of baseball fans. Dodgers baseball Campanella, Carl Erskine, Don Newcombe, and many more. will never be the same without you. He was there to call the first World Series victory in Dodgers PAGE 3 THE HERITAGE JUNCTION DISPATCH VOLUME 42, ISSUE 6

God, Acorns, and the SCV Indian Pharmacy by John Boston

unny, isn’t it, how we take so much for granted. We’re Speaking of things ancient, the Tataviam used to use a variety Fminutes away from food grown a half-planet away. of local plants for salves and remedies. Balsam sage was used Clothes from around the world fill the valley, and the latest to help cure kidney problems and fever. Juniper berries were miracles in medicine wait for us at Wal-Mart. used for stomach, liver and blood treatments. Manzanita bark was used for treating constipation, and rather strangely, Life was both simpler and not as convenient for our Native also for dysentery. The cochineal bug was crushed and used American ancestors here in the Santa Clarita Valley. to create a bright red hue for face paint (some early settlers Oaks used to number in the thousands throughout the used it for decorating cakes!). Snakeweed, appropriately, was valley. A family of four Tataviam would eat about 500 pounds used for treating rattlesnake bites. of acorns a year from these splendid trees. (Small sidebar: Heated asphaltum was applied to rheumatoid joints. The an oak will not produce acorns until it is at least 50 years Indians also used red ants to treat the malady. An old log old.) One of the byproducts, however, of an acorn diet would be pounded and the early Americans would gather was constipation. The native Indians used to also consume up the scurrying insects. They would be placed on an Rhamus Purshiana, which grows in abundance in the hills arthritis sufferer’s stomach and encouraged to bite. If you around Santa Clarita and is sold over the counter today in lived through the treatment, then the medicine man mixed homeopathy outlets. It was a natural and powerful laxative. up the soil surrounding the ant hole, mixed it with water (Mind you, I’m not remotely suggesting this the next and gave it to you to drink. Reports were the procedure time you’re on a hike on the local trails and feeling, ahem, was both painful and disgustingly distasteful, but effective. ‘bottled up.’) Some other Tataviam medications were: Red ants were also used to treat dysentery or diarrhea • Eriodictyon Glutinosum. We know it by its Spanish (which, until the early 20th century, was one of the top five name of the Yerba Santa plant, which they used as a causes of death in America), where they were swallowed alive. treatment for respiratory disorders. Likewise, lice were, ahem, “ranched” and cultivated into • Grindelia Robusta, a gum-like plant used for both cold oral infusions as the Tataviams’ answer to a blood treating heart ailments and poison oak. transfusion. • Yerba de la Vibora, or, Caucalis microcarpa, aka Sauco, or elderberry leaves, were prescribed for colds California Hedge Parsley, which was used to treat and fevers. rattlesnake bites. Hopefully, effectively. One of the more regular treatments the Tataviam espoused • Golondrina, or Euphorbia Maculata, was what you was the use of a temescal — a large oven-looking structure reached for in the Tataviam medicine chest to treat also known as a sweathouse. Both the healthy and the sick warts, cataracts and skin diseases. Careful! It’s used it, sweating out whatever ailed them, then jumping into slightly poisonous. a nearby cold creek and then going back to the sweathouse. • There’s something called Chuchupate, a bitter root. There were about 30 known local herbs and plants the Chew that and say good-bye to headaches, neural- Tataviam used. Thanks to a Dr. Cephas R. Bard, we have gia and everybody’s enemy: flatulence. at least a small record of their medicinal practice. Bard • Escholtzia, aka the California poppy, was crushed retired 1894 as president of the and used to treat colic in infants. Increase the dos- Medical Society and dedicated years compiling native age and it was also a hallucinogenic.. pharmacopoeia and treatments. • An oil extracted from Chiloicote supposedly pro- “Stooped or bow-legged Indians were seldom seen,” wrote moted hair growth. Bard. In quoting another expert on Indian life, Bard noted: • Sulphur was the aspirin of its day and used to treat “Catlin, the highest authority on the North American a wide variety of maladies. Indian states that he never saw an idiotic, lunatic, deformed, Continued on Page 4 PAGE 4 THE HERITAGE JUNCTION DISPATCH VOLUME 42, ISSUE 6

John Boston Article

Continued from page 3 rachitic, deaf or dumb Indian.” Best I know, Dr. Bard’s formed the moon, stars and Earth, which was first made treatise is still in the Ventura County Library. of only rock, followed by water. Then came plants, then animals, then man, who migrated from a central location all Local Indian historian O. L. “Pop” Morgan noted that around the globe. The son of the father died, but before he back in the Indian days, the SCV was at the crossroads of did, he told his descendants that he would one day return several major trade routes. It was also considered a mecca to live with them. where sick Native Americans came to be cured. Besides the variety of warm and/or sulphur springs in the area, the How startling is that? Santa Clarita was a Garden of Eden for a variety of rare plants and herbs. A certain concoction was banned from use by the local Tataviams and Chumash. It affected the nervous system and was the ancient precursor to the old © 2016 by John Boston. All rights reserved. “Mickey Finn.” Boiled into a tea and consumed, it made the (With some 10,000 essays and opinion pieces, SCV author John patient/victim powerless against any sexual advances — by Boston is America’s most prolific humor writers. Weekly, he pens man or woman. If anyone was caught making the potion, The Time Ranger & SCV History for the SCV Beacon. Every they were banned from the tribe for life. two weeks, he writes the SCV History for your SCV Gazette. Besides physical ailments, our Tataviam treated the Don’t forget to check out his national humor, entertainment & psychological. Which was a large list, considering they swashbuckling commentary website, THEjohnboston.com. You’ll probably didn’t have any delineation between the real and be smiling for a week…) dream world. For the Tataviam, signs of evil could come from a fox howling, a raven flying directly over your head, Order Boston’s gripping international thriller, ADAM or seeing three owls together. HENRY Girls coming into puberty were treated to a ceremony http://www.johnbostonchronicles.com/books/adam-henry/ where they were placed in a pit, then covered in warm AND THEN, order his 5-star cult classic adventure comedy stones with aromatic herbs laid over the stones. They would novel, NAKED CAME THE SASQUATCH stay in the pit for days. The women of the village would http://www.johnbostonchronicles.com/books/naked-came- dance around them, singing women’s songs and no, it wasn’t the-sasquatch/ Hellen Reddy’s “I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar.” The teenagers would then be removed from the pit, have their faces painted with red ochre, and then be led back to the village, where they were given a lecture by the chief on how to live well. Then, they were welcomed into the village as women. The boys, upon entering manhood, would be given a Join the SCV Historical Society Today! hallucinogenic drink made of jimson, or, loco weed. There were about 25 semi-permanent villages throughout Life Member $350.00 the valley prior to 1800. Throughout these villages, there Life Member with spouse $500.00 were two and only two clans: the Coyote and the Mountain Corporate $200.00 Lion. Each village had its own clan leader or chief. The Non-profit $50.00 Mountain Lion was the top clan, and the chief came from Family Member $55.00 that family. He was assisted by a member from the Coyotes. Regular member $30.00 Mountain Lions and Coyotes could not marry within their Senior Member (60+) $20.00 own clan. Junior (18 & under) $10.00 Most interestingly, the Tataviam had a myth of creation — an exegesis similar to evolution, Genesis and the New Memberships make great gifts for your Testament. This story depicts a dark void out of which was historically-minded friends and family! To join or renew online, visit http://www.scvhs.org . PAGE 5 THE HERITAGE JUNCTION DISPATCH VOLUME 42, ISSUE 6

Making a Good Impression by Margi Bertram

hile William S. Hart was busy Most of us have visited the forecourt of the Chinese Wconstructing his home atop a hill Theatre at one time or another. We’ve stood in the in Newhall, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre footprints of Audrey Hepburn or Clark Gable, perhaps had its Grand Opening on May 18, 1927, hoping some of their glamour will rub off on us. The story instantly becoming an iconic Hollywood goes that the first footprint was that of Norma Talmadge, landmark. with some stories claiming it was an accident that then inspired Sid Grauman to begin this tradition. The first The premiere that evening was Cecil B. DeMille’s “The King “official” imprint was made by Mary Pickford, as she and of Kings,” filmed in part at the Culver Studios. This studio Douglas Fairbanks were co-owners of the theatre. was built in 1918 by Thomas Ince, William S. Hart’s friend and first film producer, offering a few degrees of separation Did you know that it’s not all footprints, handprints and connection between this event and Bill Hart. The Temple signatures? Variations have included imprints of: of Jerusalem set used in the film was constructed on the • Harold Lloyd’s wire-frame glasses studio’s back lot. Later, it was redesigned as the “Great Wall” set that King Kong breaks through in the 1933 film • Joe E. Brown’s big mouth of the same name. It was used again in David O. Selznick’s • Groucho Marx’s cigar “The Garden of Allah” (1936) and finally went out in a blaze • John Barrymore’s face (reflecting his nickname “The of glory after it was made over with Civil War era building Great Profile”) fronts and set on fire to create the burning of Atlanta munitions warehouses scenes in Selznick’s “Gone with the • Betty Grable’s famous million-dollar legs Wind” (1939). • John Wayne’s fist After he built a couple of other elegant movie theatres that • Jimmy Durante’s nose met with great success, the Chinese Theatre was planned as • Mel Brooks wore a prosthetic sixth finger for his Sid Grauman’s personal dream theatre. When construction imprint began in January, 1926, actress Norma Talmadge turned the first shovel of dirt at the groundbreaking. Later, actress • Cowboy horses Tony, Champion and Trigger all left Anna May Wong ceremonially drove the first rivet in the their hoof prints steel girders. The cost to build was $2,000,000, and it • And of course, one of the earliest impressions was took eighteen months to complete. Items such as temple made by William S. Hart on November 28, 1927, bells, pagodas, stone sculptures, and other artifacts were which includes his guns. This would have happened imported from China for use in the design. Forty-foot-high about the time Hart was moving into the Mansion! curved walls, copper-topped turrets, and ten-foot-tall lotus- Best of all, did you know you don’t have to go all the way shaped fountains surround the legendary courtyard. to Hollywood to see imprints left by Bill Hart? We have our very own set of imprints in cement right here at the Hart Mansion! They are dated 1928, include Hart’s name and his two guns, and can be found at the base of the flagpole outside the back door, as seen below.

Old Postcard PAGE 6 THE HERITAGE JUNCTION DISPATCH VOLUME 42, ISSUE 6

Rancho Camulos Days By Maria Christopher

n Sunday, November 6, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 • You can meet local author Evie Ybarra and learn OPM, you can experience 19th century rancho life about her just-published “Ghosts of Ventura at Rancho Camulos National Historic Landmark during County’s Heritage Valley”. our annual Fall festival. The return of old favorites and • You can see the new volunteer-designed and new attractions will make this a unique opportunity with constructed carriage house for the Senora’s 1853 something for everybody, as you can see from this year’s carriage. The restored carriage will be included highlights. in the exhibits. Blacksmith Dave Curci will demonstrate the art of blacksmithing. • You can preview our Tataviam Native American • You can enjoy the music of Western State of interpretive area and learn about the first people Mind featuring John Bergstrom, as you relax on who lived here. This exciting project is the result our shaded lawns and enjoy an afternoon in the of a new partnership between the Fernandino country. Tataviam and the Rancho Camulos Museum. • You can savor craft beer from Wolf Creek Brewery, • You can interact with members of the del Valle fine wine from Giessinger Winery, and traditional family of the 1800s and characters from the “Home food that will be available for purchase. of Ramona” in living history encounters. Come in costume if you choose, in order to enhance your • You can shop at the Museum Gift Shop and the experience of the historical reenactments. Docent Handicraft and Vintage Boutique. • You can watch the controversial D.W. Griffith • You can enjoy tours of the 1852 adobe, and 1910 Mary Pickford “Ramona”, filmed at Camulos. children’s (and fun-loving adults) hands-on rancho It will be interpreted by film historians and activities. Ramona experts, including Hugh Munro Neely, • You can step back in time where the history, myth, Dydia Delyser, and Phil Brigandi. They will share and romance of old California still linger. information about the latest discoveries of lost “Ramona” films. The suggested donation for “Rancho Camulos Days “ is • You can visit the “Paranormal Parlor” and learn $5.00 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Details from expert paranormal investigators such as Brian about the activities and additional information about the Clune, Bob Davis, and Rob Wlodarski about the non-profit Rancho Camels Museum and the National spirits encountered at Camulos. They will share Historic Landmark can be found at www.ranchocamulos. professional investigative techniques and display the org. The museum is located on Highway 126 , 10 miles west equipment used. of the I-5 and one mile east of Piru. PAGE 7 THE HERITAGE JUNCTION DISPATCH VOLUME 42, ISSUE 6

Christmas Open House Thanks to those who volunteered by Cathy Martin since the last issue of the Dispatch:

his year’s Christmas Open House will be Saturday, eekend Docents: TDecember 3, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM. Our schedule W Sioux Coghlan Alan Pollack of events is: Evan Decker Jeff Prange 12:00 noon: Flag raising ceremony Anna Kroll Anna Schindler 1:00 PM: Animal Blessing at the Ramona Chapel. Barbara Martinelli Gordon Uppman 12:00 noon-4:00 PM: Ongoing activities inside the Saugus RuthAnne Murthy Train Station: Kids’ crafts, letters to Santa Claus, cookies nterested in becoming a docent? Visit our website at and coffee. The museum and gift shop will be open for tours www.scvhs.org and Christmas gift purchases. Membership renewals or gift a I friend a SCVHS membership for Christmas. All of the Historic hose who open and close for the docents: homes on our grounds will be open for docent guided tours. Remember, this is your chance to see inside the houses and T Evan Decker RuthAnne Murthy ask questions about the history of the houses. Cathy Martin Alan Pollack 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM: The steam locomotive will be open Barbara Martinelli Sue Yurosek for Christmas card photo opportunities. irst-Sunday Questers* Newhall Ranch House will be Santa Claus’ headquarters. He’ll F Cathy Altuvilla Jessie and Lisa Hoover be ready to hear your Christmas wishes from 1:00-3:00 PM. Nancy Cordova Bill and Libby Hinze As always, this event is free of charge. It is designed so Linda Cornella Pat Horanberg families (pets included) can spend a day together, relax and Ann and Fritz Grayson Katie Issa enjoy the Christmas spirit. Lynn Grayson

rounds: Ralphs Community G Mike Jarel Cathy Martin Robert Harbeston Contribution Program by Cathy Martin Don’t know who the Questers are? See *www.questers1944.org alphs has been donating to the SCV Historical Society Rthrough your club card purchases for the last year. It’s Pop-Up Bridal Show time to register again. When you register your club card and choose the SCV Historical Society, Ralphs will make a by Cathy Martin donation to us every time you shop! They do not charge you; they just donate a percentage of your purchase to us. hose of you who follow our Facebook page may have For those of you that are computer savvy, do this: Go to Tseen a post about Heritage Junction’s being the site for a Ralphs.com, click on Community, then Ralphs Community Pop-Up Bridal Show. Contribution Program, then on Enroll Now and follow the This is a little recap of the show. We had about 20 vendors, appropriate steps shown. Our NPO (non-profit organization) from photographers to restaurants to travel agents. There number is 92017. was even a Harpist playing music in the garden! Our goal was No computer? Please call 800 443-4438 and give them to bring attention to our site for small eclectic weddings or our non-profit number 92017. Don’t forget to have your private parties. For most of the guests attending, this was club card handy or the phone number you use to get your their first time visiting Heritage Junction. They all fell in love discounts at check out. with the Ramona Chapel and Quester Court. I hope all of you register your cards very soon to help us Our goal is to have weddings at the Ramona Chapel, and this make some much-needed improvements to Heritage Junction. was a first step in making that happen. PAGE 8 THE HERITAGE JUNCTION DISPATCH VOLUME 42, ISSUE 6

The Heritage Junction Dispatch P.O. Box 221925 Newhall, CA 91322-1925 [email protected] Non-Profit Org. Telephone (661)254-1275 U.S. Postage Headquarters: Saugus Train Station PAID 24101 Newhall Avenue, Newhall 91321 MMP Direct Open to the public each Saturday and Sunday Santa Clarita, CA 1:00 to 4:00 PM Kingsbury House is open the first Sunday of each month from 1:00 to 4:00 PM Historical Society Board of Directors Dated Material: Please Do Not Delay Alan Pollack------President Cathy Martin------Vice President Sioux Coghlan------Recording Secretary Barbara Martinelli------Corresponding Secretary Tom Hough------Treasurer Evan Decker, Phil Scorza, Ann Stansell, E J Stephens, Roberto Torres, Laurene Weste, Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel, Leon Worden, Sue Yurosek------Directors at Large Gordon Glattenberg------Dispatch Layout “Preserving the best of the past for the good of the future” Society Info: www.scvhs.org Photo, Text Archives: www.scvhistory.com Photo by Tom Gildersleeve Tom Photo by

Santa Clarita Valley had an unusual visitor on September 28: Santa Fe steam locomotive #3751 is west of Via Princessa Station, returning over Metrolink tracks from Vincent Grade-Acton station to its home in Los Angeles. The locomotive had been on display during ceremonies marking completion of new tracks and facilities at Vincent Grade-Acton.